Birthdays are pretty low-key for us. We celebrate together and usually invite over family and neighbors to join us if they can, but no themes or invites or Chuck-E-Cheese or dozens of little kids running all over. We also usually go out to eat at Noodles and Co, a family favorite. Requests are also granted for dessert/cake and some other special foods on the big day. And of course gifts, which I told you we are starting to do the want, need, wear, read, and also any homemade when we can.
But I really wanted to do something special for this baby of mine for his birthday since he is #4. I didn't want it just to be run over or forgotten in all the busy that is four children. Now I know, this was really just for me as a momma, and for photos for him later since all he needs for the day to be special is for momma and dadda to hold and snuggle him a little extra and for big sister and brothers to dote on him just a little extra too. BUT, I moved forward with plans for a simple gathering after supper with yummy cupcakes and pretzels/crackers and dip to make for low stress and easy visiting (hindsight, I would have forgotten drinks like I always do and would have stressed about it, sigh.).
(Don't worry, I didn't go totally overboard here,
I emailed this out using a super easy app that sis.in.law A showed me.)
I also moved forward with plans for gifts for this little boy...a tiny water bottle like his brothers' and sisters' big ones (want), new soft shoes since the hand-me-down ones were almost worn through (need - thanks Aahma and Boppa!), new bibs to let him go to town with eating table food himself (wear - thanks Aahma and Papa!), favorite new book to replace the falling apart one that he can't get enough of (read), a fabulous home-made toy from his siblings, and a momma-made gift. A gift I have been
I had been working on the gift during naptimes for almost 3 weeks before his birthday and was thinking I would really be able to get it done though I had to promise my dear husband that I would not stress out about it and that I knew if he got it a week late that it was ok. But I really thought I could get it done (with only minimal stressing!) until it came to the Tuesday before his birthday. I got a terrible head cold, before I was even done getting over my last head cold. But I thought if I could just get through to Friday I could rest and be sick after that. Well, the Lord apparently needed to remind me again that I am not in control over everything even when I am trying to not stress about it. I came down with the stomach flu Thursday night. Bluch. Then H came down with my horrible head cold so he was sick and miserable too! Fortunately S had taken H's birthday off so H and I were able to just be sick and sleep all day Friday while S took care of everything else. But H's party was officially cancelled, I officially did not finish my gift, and I was upset about it all. I thought I was upset for H because I wanted him to have such a special birthday, when really I was upset for myself because it didn't turn out the way I wanted it too.
And then the big kids got home from school and were all excited for the birthday boy. I was able to be awake for more than 30 minutes. We got Noodles for supper and I felt like eating. We stuck a candle in a rice crispie bar from noodles and we sang Happy Birthday 2 times because H enjoyed it so much and smiled and clapped. We gave him his presents (mostly unwrapped...shhhh! don't tell!) and he loved them. And...
...H took his first steps. On his first birthday.
It was SUCH a special birthday, one that all of us will remember. Yes partly because we were sick, but mostly because of H's laughs and giggles and how proud he was when he took that first step and we all cheered him on! And how we had such a good evening together despite the sick and no party.
Lesson learned (until 5 days later, but that is a story for another post). Now onto pictures!
Happy Birthday sweet H! (he loved the rice crispie bar, by the way)
(and just so you don't freak out I quickly took the flaming candle away before he grabbed it =)
And here is the game the kids made H!!! It is seriously awesome.
They decorated the sides and top of an oatmeal container, and I cut the hole in the top.
Then they filled it with plastic practice golf balls.
And now H can have fun putting all the golf balls in the container for a hole in one ("since he is ONE now momma!").
I know he looks skeptical in the photo, but give the boy a break - he was running a fever! He really loves it and will sit and play with this over and over. And the big kids loved that they were able to make him a gift!
And is this not the cutest no-haired sipping on a tiny water bottle wearing new tractor shoes one year old ever?
Love him.
Always.
(stay tuned for a post on his accomplishments now that he is one,
and also a post on that gift I am almost done making him!)
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